Who is Ronald D. Rotunda?

Once again we find an editorial (this time in the Washington Post) by someone not properly identified. The editorial, The Courts Need This Watchdog, is in favor of Congress creating an inspector general for the courts. Suspicions are immediately raised when the author writes:

Nonetheless, there are those who greet it the way Dracula would greet a bouquet of garlic. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, for example, has said of the proposal: "That's a really scary idea."

Which, aside from the charming Ginsburg-as-Dracula portrayal, neglects to mention that Reagan-appointed and Republican Sandra Day O'Connor has been particularly outspoken against having an inspector general.

But to the reason for this blog entry. The Washington Post identifies Ronald D. Rotunda as:

The writer is university professor and a professor of law at George Mason University.

Which makes you think he's just some ordinary law professor with an opinion. But he's more than that. He's a senior fellow at the Cato Institute. And he's written things like:

• The Problem with Hand Counting (Nov 2000 - an essay in opposition to Gore's attempt to get Florida ballots reviewed)
• How the Electoral College Works -- And Why It Works Well (Nov 2000 - in it, Rotunda writes "The Electoral College, in practice, gives a little more electoral power to racial minorities, such as blacks and Hispanics, and thus is important in helping to achieve racial justice.")
• The Filibuster (Jul 2003 - opposing the filibuster while the Republicans held majorities; unclear what his position is now)

At an absolute minimum, the Post should have identified Rotunda as a fellow of Cato. And it would have been even more accurate to describe him as a conservative libertarian commentator.


posted by Quiddity at 12/21/2006 08:00:00 AM